Higher Education in India: Striving for Excellence National Seminar (October 23 24, 2013) Organized By INTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE CELL KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY, KURUKSHETRA NAAC Accredited A Grade
About the University Vision: Be globally acknowledged as a distinguished centre of academic excellence. Mission: To prepare a class of proficient scholars and professionals with ingrained human values and commitment to expand the frontiers of knowledge for the advancement of society. Established in 1956, Kurukshetra University is located at the land of the eternal message of Bhagwad Gita. Its campus is situated on the western bank of Brahm Sarover (the holy tank) covering an area of over 400 acres. Remaining at the forefront as a torch-bearer in the field of higher education in the region, Kurukshetra University finds its place in the list of top ranking universities of our country today and has been accredited grade A by NAAC. Having committed itself to the task of knowledge generation and dissemination, the University has all through strived for achieving the defined goals of imparting quality education in subjects related to different disciplines such as science, arts and humanities, Indic studies, law, management, engineering etc. Following the holistic approach towards education, University has been laying equal emphasis on providing plethora of extra-curricular opportunities to the students. The students of the University have attained great heights at various National and International events. The Alumni galaxy of the University is visible globally by holding top positions in different spheres of life viz. academic, administrative, corporate, arts, media etc.
About the Seminar A strong system of higher education has been developed in our country over the years following the establishment of first three universities in 1857 at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay. The impressive expansion witnessed in the field of education in the recent past has been the result of projected demand for trained professionals in various sectors such as engineering, telecom, pharmacy, healthcare, tourism and futuristic courses in the changing global scenario. In spite of the diversity and various complexities, our education system has successfully grown by finding viable solutions for challenges of the times. The renowned scholars, academicians and professionals of our country have constantly worked for its improvement by formulating sound policies from time to time. In view of various quality parameters, emphasis has generally been laid on improvement of the system through regular revision of syllabi with international dimensions, world-class infrastructure, accessibility of learning opportunities for all the sections of society, interdisciplinary research, collaborations with industry and international institutes, use of ICT in teaching-learning, credit-based system, semester system, open distance learning, support services, decentralization, accountability, transparency etc. Despite the figures and claims for the increasing number of higher education institutions (HEIs), growing enrollment, increased budgetary allocations etc., top rankings for our HEIs at the international level have been eluding which might be indicative of failures and deviations in our attempt. We are also aware of the efforts of National Assessment and Accreditation Council for regulatory measures towards improving quality education in the
country. All the HEIs have been working towards meeting the standards set for this purpose. For institutionalizing various quality parameters, the role of faculty is considered to be of paramount importance. In this regard, exchange of ideas through seminars and conferences at the regional level has been constantly advocated and has been found to be highly fruitful. With this in view the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of Kurukshetra University is organizing a National Seminar on the theme Higher Education in India: Striving for Excellence for the teachers of different colleges and universities. The seminar shall bring together faculty, researchers, administrators, key thinkers and policy makers for deliberations on various issues of importance. The objectives and discussion themes of the Seminar will be : To deliberate upon the present scenario and challenges before higher education system in India. To ponder over the ways to meet these challenges and to internalize quality within the system. To discuss the innovative ideas and best practices being followed across different HEIs. To redefine the role of teachers and administrators in nurturing higher education. To understand the significance of assessment and accreditation towards improving the quality of education in India. Interaction with renowned speakers (Vice-Chancellors, scholars and keythinkers in the field) will go a long way in promoting new ways of thinking and implementation of best practices on our move towards excellence in higher education. Coming together is a beginning, working together will turn ideas into reality.
Registration A registration fee of Rs. 500/- shall be paid in cash at the time of Seminar. Accommodation shall be available on prior request. Organizing Team Patron Lt. Gen. (Dr.) D.D.S. Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor, KU, Kurukshetra Seminar Director Prof. Neera Verma, Head IQAC, KU, Kurukshetra Organizing Secretary Dr. Tejinder Sharma, Department of Commerce, KU Kurukshetra Members Prof. Rajnesh Sharma, Department of Zoology, KU, Kurukshetra Prof. Brajesh Sawhney, Department of English, KU, Kurukshetra Prof. Mahabir Jaglan, Department of Geography, KU, Kurukshetra Prof. R.K. Moudgil, Department of Physics, KU, Kurukshetra Dr. Pawan K. Sharma, Department of Chemistry, KU, Kurukshetra Dr. Sanjeev Bansal, Department of Economics, KU, Kurukshetra Advisory Committee Prof. Girish Chopra, Dean, Academic Affairs, KU, Kurukshetra Dr. K.C. Ralhan, Registrar, KU, Kurukshetra Prof. D.D. Arora, (Dean of Colleges), KU, Kurukshetra Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar, Coordinator-NAAC Steering Committee, KU, Kurukshetra Prof. N.K. Matta (Retired), KU, Kurukshetra Contacts Prof. Neera Verma, Seminar Director, 094160 35388, nverma@kuk.ac.in Dr. Tejinder Sharma, Organizing Secretary, 094163 92282, tsharma@kuk.ac.in